Make up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N51

Previously, I wrote about the Make up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N52, and shared that it was the most perfect nude-peachy-pink shade for me. After being so enthusiastic about that shade, I admit my curiosity for N51 came into play, so naturally, I had to pick this up at my next Sephora visit. So far, I’m pretty satisfied with the shade, and I would recommend it to those who are looking for a shade like this one.

I’m very picky about coral or peachy-pink shades, and often, I find that I’m dissatisfied with a shade being too orange or too red. I also think that with my skintone, I have to find a good in-between shade of both peachy and pink because I want it to still be flattering. For me, N51 does that without looking like too much on my lips. Since my lips are naturally a reddish shade, anything too orange will come off red-orange rather than coral.

I think in general I’m pretty happy with the lipstick range that Make Up For Ever has to provide. I also think that it’s worth looking into different shades. If you’re a Make Up For Ever fan and curious about the lipstick range, I’d recommend looking for a shade that you’re interested in. I think the HD foundation is a phenomenal product, and I’d also recommend the HD cream blushes as well. As for the lipsticks, some of the colors are good, but the others I can live without.

Made in France.
Retails for $20.00 USD.

Make Up For Ever 108 Large Foundation Brush

I’ve had a thing for Make Up For Ever brushes lately and didn’t hesitate to purchase the 108 Large Foundation Brush. Previously, I wrote about the Foundation Kabuki Brush, so it’s probably safe to say that I’m on a major foundation kick as well! While the brushes aren’t limited to being used with the MUFE HD Invisible Cover Foundation, I find that having a good foundation brush around can really make or break the effects of any foundation.

The MUFE 108 Large Foundation Brush is described to be “a large flat and rounded brush to quickly and evenly apply foundation.” As a multi-purpose foundation brush, it can be “used to apply and blend all kinds of foundation quickly on large areas. Its large, rounded shape and straight bristles are ideal for a high coverage, even foundation result. It can be used with liquid and cream foundations.” Since I don’t use cream foundations, I can’t speak to its performance with cream formulation; however, I can definitely say that this is foundation brush NEED if you’re a fan of liquid foundations.

Essentially, with this brush, you will never have to worry about streaking. It seems that this brush will always apply the foundation evenly and smoothly. Because the bristles are fanned out in a way to cover a large area, it only takes a few sweeps along your cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. The bristles are firm and soft, which sounds odd. But the compactness of the bristles allows the the brush to be perfectly firm, but soft enough to follow the contours of the face. It’s also super soft so it feels quite pleasant on the skin.

As with my MUFE Foundation Kabuki Brush, this brush takes a long time to dry. However, the up-side is that foundation/product doesn’t get clumpy and goopy within the bristles. It seems that no matter the product, brand, or formulation, the foundation applies thin, even, and perfect. The wide paddle shape of the brush allows the foundation to applied quickly, so I think that’s really important for this review. Sometimes I don’t want to use my Beauty Blender because it takes SO long to wet it and pat the foundation in all over my face.

Another thing I noticed is that when wanting additional coverage, just dab more foundation onto the desired area and use this brush to pat. You’ll get additional coverage, but the brush will apply it evenly without getting cakey. I think having a good foundation brush is an important part of applying foundation correctly. In the end, it will always be about how the foundation eventually looks on the skin.

While the formulation and texture of the product is essential — and that varies from person to person — the tool that you use to apply the foundation can make a big difference too. I recommend this brush if a traditional foundation brush isn’t for you and you’re looking for a thinner and lighter application.

Retails for $36.00 USD.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow – #25 Ash

The Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow in #25 “Ash” is my current favorite for eyebrows. In the past, I’ve used eyebrow pencils, powders, and even stencils; and, I avoided trying the Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow because I was afraid it was going to be hard to use.

Some of my previous eyebrow products have been MAC’s pencil in “Lingering,” MAC eyeshadows in “Charcoal Brown,” “Coquette,” or “Brun.” Recently, I’ve tried the Tom Ford Brow Sculptor in Chestnut, and many eons ago, I was obsessed with Anastasia eyebrow products. Although all the products I’ve mentioned are good and I still use them, I wanted to try something different (just because).

For me, it’s important that my eyebrows look natural — meaning, it looks like hair and not drawn on eyebrows. Also, since I’m in the process of slowly (but surely) growing out my eyebrow hairs, it’s important that whatever I apply stays put. Nothing is worse than your eyebrows smudging or wearing away. The Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow caught my attention while I was reading a Korean beauty magazine, and since then, I’ve been a little obsessed with the product and feel totally differently about these kinds of eyebrow products! Let me just say, ladies and gentlemen, don’t be afraid of gel eyebrow products.

Sephora describes this product as a “long-lasting, smudge-proof eyebrow corrector that fills, defines, and lengthens brows.” Even if you don’t have lots of eyebrow hairs — like me — this is perfect because it will still give the illusion of brows. What’s UNNATURAL is when you draw ON the skin to make it seem like you have brows — and this is the look I’ve been trying my hardest to avoid.

“Aqua Brow is a highly pigmented gel that enhances and reshapes natural brows. Its superior waterproof formula creates a strong hold while its high concentration of pigments allows for intense color payoff that will not fade. Aqua Brow’s creamy gel texture gives an even, natural result that will last all day.”

For the price, this is an excellent product. You need the teeniest dot of product for both brows; and really, a little goes a LONG, LONG way. The squeeze tube is easy to use and doesn’t keep squeezing on its own. It is very easy to control the amount you want to release and that’s received bonus points from me: 1.) no wasted product; 2.) no goopy mess in the lid or around the opening of the tube. Winning.

“Ash” #25 is great for anyone with medium to medium-dark hair and the color can be sheered out or layered for a more pigmented, concentrated look. I apply this with the MAC angled liner/brow brush and the gel formulas glides on smoothly whether you’re going over actual brow hairs or not. It’s easy to fill in sparse areas, while trying to make up for areas where you don’t have eyebrow hairs. Because the formula is gel and not waxy, it doesn’t look clumpy on the actual eyebrow hairs. Perfection.

This is water-resistant, sweat-proof, budge-proof, and smear-proof. Basically, once applied, your brows aren’t going anywhere — and this is excellent for hot, sweaty days, days out and about, or even rainy days. It’s an all purpose solution to having reliable brows, and no amount of super powder is going to do that! I remove my brows along with my heavy duty mascara at the end of the day with an oil-based eye makeup remover (like Lancome Bi-Facil or the Neutrogena eye makeup remover), and go over my eyes with a cleansing oil afterwards. In my opinion, with proper removal products, it is not difficult to remove. Another win.

How I apply — I squeeze a teeny, tiny dot onto the back of my hand and use my angled brow brush and swipe through the blob. I dab once onto a blank area on the back of my hand to get the product to evenly distribute along the angled bristles. Then, I gently swipe onto my brows starting at the base of the brows where I have the least amount of brow hair. Then, I swipe more product onto the brow area to fill in and bring my brows back to life. Repeat dabbing into blob when necessary.

Surprisingly, this product is easy to use. I think the product is so manageable because the gel texture is thin but not too thin. It allows you to move the color around, sheering it out for a natural look. It sets well — not too fast (where it’s hard to apply because it dries fast) and not too slow (where it has a chance to smudge because it’s too wet). I highly recommend this product for those who have thin/sparse eyebrows because the effect is extremely natural and long-lasting.

0.23 oz.
Made in France.
Retails for $20.00 USD.